Control module response testing systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A testing module includes a first input, a second input, an output, a decoder module, an analog to digital (A/D) converter, and an output generator module. The testing module receives a throttle position signal from a throttle position sensor of a vehicle at the first input. The decoder module generates a first throttle position based on a length of at least one pulse in the throttle position signal. The A/D converter generates a second throttle position based on the throttle position signal. The testing module receives user input at the second input. The output generator module generates a test signal in a single edge nibble transmission (SENT) format based on the user input and one of the first and second throttle positions. The testing module outputs the test signal to a control module of the vehicle at the output.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/373,552, filed on Aug. 13, 2010. The disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to internal combustion engines and moreparticularly to vehicle diagnostic systems and methods.

BACKGROUND

The background description provided herein is for the purpose ofgenerally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of thepresently named inventors, to the extent it is described in thisbackground section, as well as aspects of the description that may nototherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neitherexpressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the presentdisclosure.

Air is drawn into an engine through an intake manifold. A throttle valvecontrols airflow into the engine. The air mixes with fuel from one ormore fuel injectors to form an air/fuel mixture. The air/fuel mixture iscombusted within one or more cylinders of the engine.

An engine control module (ECM) controls the torque output of the engine.The ECM may control the torque output of the engine via the throttlevalve, the fuel injectors, and/or one or more other suitable engineactuators.

The ECM may control the torque output of the engine based on one or moreinputs. The inputs may include, but are not limited to, inputs fromvarious sensors. For example only, the sensors may include a mass airflow (MAF) sensor, an intake air temperature (IAT) sensor, one or morethrottle position (TP) sensors, and/or one or more other sensors.

SUMMARY

A testing module includes a first input, a second input, an output, adecoder module, an analog to digital (A/D) converter, and an outputgenerator module. The testing module receives a throttle position signalfrom a throttle position sensor of a vehicle at the first input. Thedecoder module generates a first throttle position based on a length ofat least one pulse in the throttle position signal. The A/D convertergenerates a second throttle position based on the throttle positionsignal. The testing module receives user input at the second input. Theoutput generator module generates a test signal in a single edge nibbletransmission (SENT) format based on the user input and one of the firstand second throttle positions. The testing module outputs the testsignal to a control module of the vehicle at the output.

A method includes: receiving a throttle position signal from a throttleposition sensor of a vehicle at a first input of a testing module;generating a first throttle position based on a length of at least onepulse in the throttle position signal using the testing module;generating a second throttle position based on the throttle positionsignal using the testing module; receiving user input at a second inputof the testing module; generating a test signal in a single edge nibbletransmission (SENT) format based on the user input and one of the firstand second throttle positions; and outputting the test signal to acontrol module of the vehicle at an output of the testing module.

Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples areintended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limitthe scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an example engine systemaccording to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an example engine control module(ECM) diagnostic validation system according to the principles of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an example single edge nibble transmission (SENT) signalaccording to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an example testing moduleaccording to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an example diagram of a testing graphic user interface (GUI)according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a hardware input output (HWIO)module according to the principles of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting an example method of generating a testsignal according to the principles of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely illustrative in nature and is in noway intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. Forpurposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in thedrawings to identify similar elements. As used herein, the phrase atleast one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A or Bor C), using a non-exclusive logical or. It should be understood thatsteps within a method may be executed in different order withoutaltering the principles of the present disclosure.

As used herein, the term module may refer to, be part of, or include anApplication Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC); an electronic circuit; acombinational logic circuit; a field programmable gate array (FPGA); aprocessor (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code; othersuitable components that provide the described functionality; or acombination of some or all of the above, such as in a system-on-chip.The term module may include memory (shared, dedicated, or group) thatstores code executed by the processor.

The term code, as used above, may include software, firmware, and/ormicrocode, and may refer to programs, routines, functions, classes,and/or objects. The term shared, as used above, means that some or allcode from multiple modules may be executed using a single (shared)processor. In addition, some or all code from multiple modules may bestored by a single (shared) memory. The term group, as used above, meansthat some or all code from a single module may be executed using a groupof processors. In addition, some or all code from a single module may bestored using a group of memories.

The apparatuses and methods described herein may be implemented by oneor more computer programs executed by one or more processors. Thecomputer programs include processor-executable instructions that arestored on a non-transitory tangible computer readable medium. Thecomputer programs may also include stored data. Non-limiting examples ofthe non-transitory tangible computer readable medium are nonvolatilememory, magnetic storage, and optical storage.

A sensor of a vehicle measures a parameter and generates a signal basedon the parameter. For example, a throttle position sensor measures athrottle position and generates a throttle position signal based on thethrottle position. A control module, such as an engine control module,receives the signal.

A testing module or device also receives the signal. The testing moduleis adapted to receive the signal either in an analog form or in a singleedge nibble transmission (SENT) form. Generally, the SENT form involvesgenerating a predetermined number of pulses in a signal in apredetermined order, then repeating the predetermined order.

The testing module determines the parameter measured by the sensor basedon one or more pulses in the signal. The testing module generates a testsignal in the SENT form based on the parameter. The testing modulegenerates the test signal further based on user input. The user inputmay specify how the testing module should generate one or more pulses inthe test signal.

The testing module outputs the test signal to the control module. Thecontrol module selectively diagnoses the presence of one or morehardware input output (HWIO) faults based on the test signal. Based onthe user input and therefore how the testing module generates the testsignal based on the user input, the user can verify whether the controlmodule responds appropriately to the test signal.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a functional block diagram of an example enginesystem 100 is presented. An engine 102 generates drive torque for avehicle. While the engine 102 is shown and will be discussed as aspark-combustion internal combustion engine (ICE), the engine 102 mayinclude another suitable type of engine, such as acompression-combustion ICE. The vehicle may additionally oralternatively include one or more electric motors (or motor-generators).

Air is drawn into the engine 102 through an intake manifold 104. Athrottle valve 106 varies air flow into the engine 102. One or more fuelinjectors, such as fuel injector 108, mix fuel with the air to form anair/fuel mixture. The air/fuel mixture is combusted within a cylinder110. Although the engine 102 is depicted as including one cylinder, theengine 102 may include more than one cylinder. Combustion may beinitiated, for example, by spark provided by a spark plug 114 or inanother suitable manner.

An engine control module (ECM) 120 controls the throttle valve 106, thefuel injector 108, and the spark plug 114. More specifically, a throttleactuator module 122, a fuel actuator module 124, and a spark actuatormodule 126 control the throttle valve 106, the fuel injector 108, andthe spark plug 114, respectively, based on signals from the ECM 120.While not shown, the ECM 120 may also control other engine actuators,such as one or more camshaft phasers, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)valve, a boost device (e.g., a turbocharger or a supercharger), and/orone or more other engine actuators.

The ECM 120 may control the torque output of the engine 102 based on oneor more driver inputs, such as an accelerator pedal position (APP), abrake pedal position (BPP), a cruise control input, and/or othersuitable driver inputs. The ECM 120 may also control the torque outputof the engine 102 based on signals from one or more sensors, such as afirst throttle position sensor 140, a second throttle position sensor142, and one or more other sensors 144. The other sensors 144 mayinclude, for example, a mass air flowrate (MAF) sensor, an intake airtemperature (IAT) sensor, an engine coolant temperature sensor, anengine oil temperature sensor, and/or one or more other suitablesensors.

The first throttle position sensor 140 measures position of the throttlevalve 106 and generates a first throttle position signal 146 based onthe position. The second throttle position sensor 142 measures positionof the throttle valve 106 and generates a second throttle positionsignal 148 based on the position. The first and second throttle positionsignals 146 and 148 may be transmitted via separate electricalconnections (e.g., wires) as shown in the example of FIG. 1. For exampleonly, the first and second throttle position signals 146 and 148 may betransmitted via separate electrical connections in implementations wherethe first and second throttle position signals 146 and 148 are analogsignals. In various implementations, the first and second throttleposition signals 146 and 148 may both be transmitted via one wire. Forexample only, the first and second throttle position signals 146 and 148may be transmitted via one wire in implementations where the first andsecond throttle position signals 146 and 148 are generated based on thesingle edge nibble transmission (SENT) signal generation protocol.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a functional block diagram of an example ECMdiagnostic validation system 200 is presented. The first and secondthrottle position sensors 140 and 142 provide the first and secondthrottle position signals 146 and 148 to the ECM 120. The ECM 120includes a hardware input output (HWIO) module 204 and a diagnosticmodule 208.

The HWIO module 204 selectively diagnoses the presence of one or moretypes of HWIO faults based on the first throttle position signal 146.Various types of HWIO faults for which the HWIO module 204 monitors arediscussed in detail below. The HWIO module 204 may selectively adjustthe first throttle position signal 146 and/or take one or more otherremedial actions when one or more HWIO faults are present.

The diagnostic module 208 selectively diagnoses the presence of one ormore service faults based on the first throttle position signal 146. Thediagnostic module 208 may selectively diagnose the presence of a givenservice fault further based on one or more other signals or values. Theservice faults may each be associated with a predetermined type of faultto be detected under an applicable fault diagnostic standard, such asthe on-board diagnostic II (OBDII) fault diagnostic standard. Thediagnostic module 208 may indicate the presence of a service fault indiagnostic memory 210, such as by setting a predetermined code orlocation corresponding to the service fault in the diagnostic memory210. A malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) (not shown) may be illuminatedwhen one or more service faults are present.

The first throttle position signal 146 may be an analog signal orgenerated according to the SENT signal generation protocol. The SENTprotocol is detailed in Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)Information Report Reference Number J2716, entitled “SENT—Single EdgeNibble Transmission for Automotive Applications,” which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety. A sensor that generates a signalthat conforms to the SENT protocol may be referred to as a sensor moduleand includes a processor and/or associated circuitry to generate thesignal according to the SENT protocol. Such a sensor module may also bereferred to as a smart sensor. For example only, if generating the firstthrottle position signal 146 according to the SENT protocol, the firstthrottle position sensor 140 can be referred to as a throttle positionsensor module and/or as a smart throttle position sensor.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an example signal 302 generated by atransmitter (e.g., the first throttle position sensor 140, a testingmodule 212 discussed below, etc.) according to the SENT protocol ispresented. Generally speaking, the SENT protocol involves generating apredetermined number of pulses in a signal (e.g., the example signal302) in a predetermined order. After the predetermined number of pulseshas been generated in the predetermined order, the predetermined orderstarts over. The predetermined number of pulses is generated in thepredetermined order to complete one message.

The transmitter maintains the signal in a low state for a predeterminedperiod after each falling edge in the signal before transitioning thesignal back to a high state. The transmitter determines how long tomaintain the signal in the high state to convey information specific tothe present pulse in the predetermined order. The transmitter maintainsthe signal in the high state for the determined length of time. Thetransmitter transitions the signal to the low state when the determinedlength of time has passed, thereby creating the falling edge of thepresent pulse. The transmitter then maintains the signal in the lowstate for the predetermined period. The transmitter determines how longto maintain the signal in the high state to convey information specificto a next pulse in the predetermined order. Once the predeterminedperiod has passed, the transmitter transitions the signal to the highstate. The transmitter maintains the signal in the high state for thelength of time determined for the next pulse. This process continuesuntil one message is complete. The predetermined order then starts overfor a next message. In various implementations, the low and high statesmay be reversed.

A receiver (e.g., the ECM 120) of the signal can determine a type ofinformation conveyed via a given pulse of the signal based on where thegiven pulse falls in the predetermined order. The receiver can alsodetermine what information is conveyed via the given pulse based on theperiod between two consecutive falling edges (i.e., the length of thegiven pulse) in the signal. Because the signal is maintained in the lowstate for the predetermined period after each falling edge, how long thesignal is maintained in the high state is the only portion of each ofthe pulses that may vary from pulse to pulse. Accordingly, the receivercan alternatively determine what information is conveyed via the givenpulse based on how long the signal is maintained in the high state forthe given pulse.

The example of FIG. 3 illustrates one complete message generated in theexample signal 302. For example only, in the example of FIG. 3, thepredetermined number of pulses is 4, and the one message includes the 4pulses. The predetermined number of pulses and the predetermined orderof the pulses is the same from message to message under the SENTprotocol. The length of one or more of the pulses may vary from messageto message.

Each of the four pulses is defined by two falling edges in the examplesignal 302. For example, a first pulse 304 in the predetermined order isdefined by time 306 and time 308. Time 306 corresponds to the fallingedge of a fourth pulse of a last message transmitted via the examplesignal 302 immediately before the message shown in FIG. 3. Time 308corresponds to the falling edge of the first pulse 304. The first pulse304 may be referred to as a timing pulse or asynchronization/calibration pulse.

The first pulse 304 is a predetermined total period in length. Forexample only, the predetermined total period may be 56 clock cycles ofthe transmitter. One clock cycle may also be referred to as a tick.Beginning at time 306, the example signal 302 is maintained in a lowstate 310 (e.g., 0 Volts) for the predetermined period as illustrated at312. For example only, the predetermined period may be 5 clock cycles ofthe transmitter.

Once the predetermined period has passed after time 306, the examplesignal 302 is transitioned to a high state 316 (e.g., 5 Volts). Asillustrated at 318, the example signal 302 is maintained in the highstate 316 until the predetermined total period has passed after time306. The receiver may determine the length of each clock cycle of thetransmitter based on the length of the first pulse 304 and an expectedlength of the first pulse 304. Because the clock cycles of thetransmitter may be different than a nominal clock cycle, the receivermay use the length of the first pulse 304 to normalize the length of thepulses in the example signal 302.

A second pulse 320 is defined by time 308 and time 322. Time 308corresponds to the falling edge of the first pulse 304. Time 322corresponds to the falling edge of the second pulse 320. The secondpulse 320 may be referred to as a status/communication pulse.

As is the case after each falling edge, beginning at time 308, theexample signal 302 is maintained in the low state 310 for thepredetermined period. Maintenance of the example signal 302 in the lowstate 310 after the falling edge of the first pulse 304 is illustratedat 324. Once the predetermined period has passed after time 308, theexample signal 302 is transitioned to the high state 316. Thetransmitter maintains the example signal 302 in the high state 316, asillustrated at 326, until transitioning the signal to the low state 310at time 322.

The transmitter determines how long to maintain the example signal 302in the high state 316 to convey various information via the second pulse320. For example only, the various information for the second pulse 320may include whether a fault is present, slow serial data transmission,and/or other suitable information. The transmitter may limit how longthe example signal 302 is maintained in the high state 316 to not lessthan a predetermined minimum period and not greater than a predeterminedmaximum period. For example only, the predetermined minimum and maximumperiods may be 12 clock cycles and 27 clock cycles, respectively, of thetransmitter. The predetermined minimum period is greater than thepredetermined period that the example signal 302 is maintained in thelow state 310 after each falling edge.

A third pulse 340 is defined by time 322 and time 342. The third pulse340 includes a predetermined number of sub-pulses. Each of thesub-pulses will be referred to as a nibble. For example only, the thirdpulse 340 includes 6 nibbles in the example of FIG. 3. The predeterminednumber of nibbles of the third pulse 340 may be greater than or lessthan six in various implementations. The third pulse 340 may referred toas a data pulse.

A first nibble 344 is defined by time 322 and time 346. Time 322corresponds to the falling edge of the second pulse 320, and time 346corresponds to the falling edge of the first nibble 344. A second nibble348 is defined by time 346 and time 350. Time 346 corresponds to thefalling edge of the first nibble 344, and time 350 corresponds to thefalling edge of the second nibble 348. A third nibble 352 is defined bytime 350 and time 354. Time 350 corresponds to the falling edge of thesecond nibble 348, and time 354 corresponds to the falling edge of thethird nibble 352.

A fourth nibble 356 is defined by time 354 and time 358. Time 354corresponds to the falling edge of the third nibble 352, and time 358corresponds to the falling edge of the fourth nibble 356. A fifth nibble360 is defined by time 358 and time 362. Time 358 corresponds to thefalling edge of the fourth nibble 356, and time 362 corresponds to thefalling edge of the fifth nibble 360. A sixth nibble 364 is defined bytime 362 and time 342. Time 362 corresponds to the falling edge of thefifth nibble 360, and time 342 corresponds to the falling edge of thesixth nibble 364 and the end of the third pulse 340.

Beginning at the time of the falling edge of a previous pulse (ornibble), the transmitter maintains the example signal 302 in the lowstate 310 for the predetermined period before transitioning the examplesignal 302 to the high state 316 for each of the nibbles 344, 348, 352,356, 360, and 364. The period that the example signal 302 is maintainedin the high state 316 for each of the nibbles 344, 348, 352, 356, 360,and 364 is limited to not less than the predetermined minimum period andto not greater than the predetermined maximum period.

A first half of the nibbles 344, 348, 352, 356, 360, and 364 is used toconvey a parameter determined using the transmitter. For example only,the first, second, and third nibbles 344, 348, and 352 may be used toconvey an opening percentage or position of the throttle valve 106 ifthe transmitter is a throttle position sensor.

The transmitter determines a length of each of the first, second, andthird nibbles 344, 348, and 352 based on the parameter. The parametermay be a parameter measured by the transmitter (e.g., throttle position)or determined based on the measured parameter (e.g., throttle openingpercentage). The transmitter maintains the example signal 302 in thehigh state 316 for the first, second, and third nibbles 344, 348, and352 based on the determined lengths, respectively, to convey theparameter.

A second half of the nibbles 344, 348, 352, 356, 360, and 364 is used toconvey a complement of the first half of the nibbles 344, 348, 352. Forexample only, the fourth, fifth, and sixth nibbles 356, 360, and 364 maycollectively be used to convey the one's compliment of first, second,and third nibbles 344, 348, and 352.

The transmitter determines the complement of the first half of thenibbles 344, 348, 352, 356, 360, and 364, collectively. The transmitterdetermines a length for each of the fourth, fifth, and sixth nibbles356, 360, and 364 based on the complement. The transmitter maintains theexample signal 302 in the high state 316 for the fourth, fifth, andsixth nibbles 356, 360, and 364 based on the determined lengths,respectively, to convey the complement.

A fourth pulse 370 is defined by time 342 and time 372. Time 342corresponds to the falling edge of the sixth nibble 364 and to the endof the third pulse 340. Time 372 corresponds to the falling edge of thefourth pulse 370. Time 372 also corresponds to the end of the onemessage (and one complete iteration of the predetermined number ofpulses in the predetermined order). The fourth pulse 370 may be referredto as an error correcting code (ECC) pulse.

Beginning at time 342, the example signal 302 is maintained in the lowstate 310 for the predetermined period. Once the predetermined periodhas passed after time 342, the example signal 302 is transitioned to thehigh state 316 for the fourth pulse 370. The transmitter determines howlong to maintain the example signal 302 in the high state 316 to conveyECC data via the fourth pulse 370. For example only, the ECC data mayinclude cyclical redundancy check (CRC), checksum data, and/or othersuitable ECC data. The period that the example signal 302 is maintainedin the high state 316 for the fourth pulse 370 is limited to not lessthan the predetermined minimum period and to not greater than thepredetermined maximum period. After the falling edge of the fourth pulse370, the transmitter starts the predetermined order over.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the testing module 212 receives the firstthrottle position signal 146 from the first throttle position sensor140. The testing module 212 generates a test signal 216 using the SENTprotocol. For purposes of discussion only, each message of the testsignal 216 will be discussed as having the predetermined number ofpulses generated in the predetermined order described in conjunctionwith the example signal 302 of FIG. 3. While the principles of thepresent disclosure are shown and will be described in conjunction withthe first throttle position signal 146, the first throttle positionsensor 140, and the ECM 120, the present disclosure is equallyapplicable to other sensors, such as the second throttle position sensor142, a MAF sensor, an IAT sensor, and/or other types sensors, and toother control modules, such as a transmission control module (TCM), ahybrid control module (HCM) and/or other types of control modules.

The test signal 216 may be used to verify that the HWIO module 204 willdiagnose the presence of each of the types of HWIO faults when the testsignal 216 displays one or more characteristics that are indicative ofthe respective types of HWIO faults. More specifically, when the testsignal 216 is generated to be indicative of a given type of HWIO fault,the user can monitor the response of the HWIO module 204 to determinewhether the HWIO module 204 diagnoses the presence of the given type ofHWIO fault.

For example only, the HWIO module 204 may monitor the test signal 216for the presence of seven different types of faults. The HWIO module 204may monitor for a greater or fewer number of different types of faultsin various implementations. The seven different types of faults may bereferred to as: (1) an ECC fault, (2) a pulse too short fault, (3) apulse too long fault, (4) a clock shift fault, (5) a timeout fault, (6)a too many pulses fault, and (7) a too few pulses fault. Each of thetypes of faults is discussed below in conjunction with the example ofFIG. 6.

The testing module 212 determines a position of the throttle valve 106based on the first throttle position signal 146. The testing module 212generates the test signal 216 based on user input 220 and/or theposition. The user input 220 may be communicated to the testing module212 via an input/output (I/O) interface, such as a universal serial bus(USB) interface, via a wireless interface, or another suitable type ofinterface. The user may make the user input 220 via a device (not shown)that is independent of the testing module 212, such as a computer. Invarious implementations, the user input 220 may be made directly intothe testing module 212 via one or more input/output devices (not shown),such as a display, a keypad, etc. The user input 220 may specify how thetest signal 216 should be generated. The testing module 212 generatesthe test signal 216 according to the user input 220 and provides thetest signal 216 to the ECM 120. The testing module 212 is a device thatis independent of the ECM 120 and the first throttle position sensor140.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a functional block diagram of an exampleimplementation of the testing module 212 is presented. The testingmodule 212 of FIG. 4 generates the test signal 216 based on the firstthrottle position signal 146. The testing module 212 is adapted toreceive the first throttle position signal 146 and generate the testsignal 216 regardless of whether the first throttle position signal 146is an analog signal or generated based on the SENT protocol (i.e., aSENT based signal). This allows the testing module 212 to be used acrossvarious vehicle platforms including vehicle platforms where the firstthrottle position signal 146 is an analog signal and vehicle platformswhere the first throttle position signal 146 is a SENT based signal.

The testing module 212 receives the first throttle position signal 146at a first input 402. The testing module 212 receives the user input 220at a second input 404. The testing module 212 outputs the test signal216 via an output 406.

A decoder module 410 receives the first throttle position signal 146 viathe first input 402. The decoder module 410 monitors the first throttleposition signal 146 for pulses in the first throttle position signal146. For each pulse, the decoder module 410 determines whether the pulsewas a first, second, third, or fourth pulse in the predetermined order.

The decoder module 410 determines a first throttle position 422 for agiven message based on the length of the first half of the nibbles ofthe third pulse in that message. The decoder module 410 also determinesthe first throttle position 422 for each other message of the firstthrottle position signal 146. The first throttle position 422 may be adigital value that is within a predetermined range of values.

The decoder module 410 may also determine a calibration value 414 foreach message based on the length of the first pulses of the messages,respectively. The calibration value 414 may be used to replicate thelength of the clock cycles of the first throttle position sensor 140 inthe test signal 216. The decoder module 410 may also determine astatus/communication value 418 for each message based on the length ofthe second pulses of the messages, respectively. In implementationswhere the first throttle position signal 146 is an analog signal, thedecoder module 410 may set the calibration value 414 and thestatus/communication value 418 equal to zero.

An analog to digital (A/D) converter 426 selectively samples the firstthrottle position signal 146, digitizes the first throttle positionsignal 146, and outputs a second throttle position 430. The secondthrottle position 430 is a digital value that is within thepredetermined range of values. The A/D converter 426 may also filter,buffer, and/or perform one or more actions before outputting the secondthrottle position 430.

A selection module 440 receives the first throttle position 422 and thesecond throttle position 430. The selection module 440 outputs one ofthe first throttle position 422 and the second throttle position 430 asa selected throttle position 444 based on the user input 220. The userinput 220 may include more than one piece of information, as discussedfurther below. The user may select the user input 220 to the selectionmodule 440 with knowledge of whether the first throttle position signal146 is a SENT based signal or an analog signal. When the first throttleposition signal 146 is a SENT based signal, the selection module 440outputs the first throttle position 422 as the selected throttleposition 444. The selection module 440 outputs the second throttleposition 430 as the selected throttle position 444 when the firstthrottle position signal 146 is an analog signal.

An encoder module 448 receives the selected throttle position 444 anddetermines a set of binary values 452 based on the selected throttleposition 444. For example only, the encoder module 448 may determine theset of binary values 452 using a mapping or a function that relates theselected throttle position 444 to the set of binary values 452. Thenumber of binary values in the set of binary values 452 may be equal tohalf of the predetermined number of nibbles in the third pulse. Each ofthe binary values corresponds to the length of one of the first, second,and third nibbles of the third pulse.

A complement module 456 determines a set of complement values 460 basedon the set of binary values 452. For example only, the complement module456 may set the set of complement values 460 collectively equal to theone's complement of the set of binary values 452. An ECC module 464generates ECC 468 based on the set of binary values 452 and the set ofcomplement values 460. For example only, the ECC module 464 maydetermine the ECC 468 based on the set of binary values 452 and the setof complement values 460 using a seed value of 0101 and the polynomial:x⁴+x³+x²+1.

An output generator module 480 generates the test signal 216 based onthe user input 220. The output generator module 480 generates the testsignal 216 further based on the set of binary values 452, the set ofcomplement values 460, and the ECC 468. In various implementations, theoutput generator module 480 may include a programmable interfacecontroller (PIC) or another suitable device or module.

The output generator module 480 may generate the first and second pulsesof one message in the test signal 216 based on the calibration value 414and the status/communication value 418, respectively, if the firstthrottle position signal 146 is a SENT based signal. If the firstthrottle position signal 146 is an analog signal, the output generatormodule 480 may generate the first and second pulses of the message basedon the user input 220.

The output generator module 480 may generate the first, second, andthird nibbles of the third pulse of the message based on the binaryvalues of the set of binary values 452, respectively. The outputgenerator module 480 may generate the fourth, fifth, and sixth nibblesof the third pulse of the message based on the complement values of theset of complement values 460, respectively. The output generator module480 may generate the fourth pulse of the message based on the ECC 468.

However, the user input 220 may specify how one or more pulses in thetest signal 216 should be generated. An example graphical user interface(GUI) based upon which the user input 220 may be generated is presentedin FIG. 5. The user may input one or more replacements and/or selectionsfor generation of the test signal 216 via the GUI, and the user input220 is generated to reflect the replacements and selections.

The output generator module 480 defaults to generating the test signal216 based on the user input 220. If one or more characteristics of thetest signal 216 are not specified in the user input 220, the outputgenerator module 480 generates the one or more unspecifiedcharacteristics in the test signal 216 based on received values,respectively. For example only, the output generator module 480generates the first pulse in the test signal 216 based on the user input220 when the user input 220 specifies how the generate the first pulse.If the user input 220 does not specify how to generate the first pulse,however, the output generator module 480 may generate the first pulse inthe test signal 216 based on the calibration value 414 or based on apredetermined value.

The output generator module 480 acts similarly with respect to the othercharacteristics of the test signal 216. For example only, if the userinput 220 specifies that one of the pulses in the test signal 216 beomitted, for example to trigger a not enough pulses fault via the HWIOmodule 204, the output generator module 480 omits one or more pulsesfrom the test signal 216. If the user input 220 specifies that one ofthe pulses should be longer than the predetermined maximum period, forexample to trigger a pulse too long fault via the HWIO module 204, theoutput generator module 480 maintains one of the pulses in the testsignal 216 for longer than the predetermined maximum period.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an illustration of an example testing GUI 500is presented. With continuing reference to FIG. 4, the user input 220may be generated based on user inputs to the testing GUI 500. Thetesting GUI 500 may include various fields into which the user may entera desired value.

For example, the user may enter (e.g., type) a number of nibbles to begenerated in the third pulse via a first field 504. The user may enterthe length of one clock cycle for the test signal 216 via a second field508. The user may enter the number of clock cycles for the outputgenerator module 480 to maintain the test signal 216 in the low stateafter each falling edge via a third field 512. The user may enter thenumber of clock cycles for the output generator module 480 to maintainthe test signal 216 in the high state for a given pulse to convey avalue of zero via a fourth field 516. The user may enter the number ofclock cycles (corresponding to the predetermined total period) for theoutput generator module 480 to generally maintain the first pulse in thehigh state via a fifth field 520. User entries made to the first,second, third, fourth, and fifth fields 504, 508, 512, 516, and 520 maybe used for each message of the test signal 216. The user input 220 isgenerated to reflect entries of the first, second, third, fourth, andfifth fields 504, 508, 512, 516, and 520.

The user may select that the first throttle position signal 146 is ananalog signal by selecting a first option 524. The user may select thatthe first throttle position signal 146 is a SENT based signal byselecting a second option 528. The user input 220 is generated based onthe selected one of the first and second options 524 and 528 such thatthe selection module 440 outputs the first or second throttle position422 or 430 according to the user's selection.

The testing GUI 500 also includes a fault type selection interface 540from which the user may select whether the output generator module 480should manipulate the test signal 216 to be indicative of a HWIO fault.The fault type selection interface 540 may include third, fourth, fifth,sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth selectable options 544, 548,552, 556, 560, 564, 568, and 572, respectively. The user selects one ofthe third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenthselectable options 544, 548, 552, 556, 560, 564, 568, and 572 via thefault type selection interface 540. The user input 220 is generated toreflect the user's selection from the third, fourth, fifth, sixth,seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth selectable options 544, 548, 552, 556,560, 564, 568, and 572 of the fault type selection interface 540.

The output generator module 480 generates the test signal 216 to not beindicative of an HWIO fault when the user selects the third option 544.The output generator module 480 generates the test signal 216 to beindicative of a too few pulses fault when the user selects the fourthoption 548. When the user selects the fourth option 548, the outputgenerator module 480 generates less than the predetermined number ofnibbles in the third pulse of the test signal 216.

The output generator module 480 generates the test signal 216 to beindicative of a too many pulses fault when the user selects the fifthoption 552. When the user selects the fifth option 552, the outputgenerator module 480 generates more than the predetermined number ofnibbles in the third pulse in the test signal 216.

When the output generator module 480 is generating the test signal 216to be indicative of too few pulses fault or a too many pulses fault, theECC value 468 is re-calculated based on the nibbles actually generatedin the test signal 216. In this manner, the test signal 216 will begenerated based on correct ECC as to not cause the HWIO module 204 toalso diagnose the presence of an ECC fault.

The output generator module 480 generates the test signal 216 to beindicative of a timeout fault when the user selects the sixth option556. When the user selects the sixth option 556, the output generatormodule 480 generates the test signal 216 such that more than apredetermined timeout period is present between two consecutive firstpulses in the test signal 216. The user may enter a percentage or numbervia an entry field 578. The output generator module 480 may determine orset the period between the two consecutive first pulses in the testsignal 216 based on the user's entry into the entry field 578.

The output generator module 480 generates the test signal 216 to beindicative of a clock shift fault when the user selects the seventhoption 560. When the user selects the seventh option 560, the outputgenerator module 480 generates the test signal 216 such that a change(i.e., a difference) in length between two consecutive first pulses inthe test signal 216 is greater than a predetermined allowabledifference. The output generator module 480 may vary the length ofconsecutive first pulses in the test signal 216 based on the user'sentry into the entry field 578.

The output generator module 480 generates the test signal 216 to beindicative of a pulse too long fault when the user selects the eighthoption 564. When the user selects the eighth option 564, the outputgenerator module 480 generates the second pulse, one of the nibbles ofthe third pulse, or the fourth pulse to be longer than the predeterminedmaximum period.

The output generator module 480 generates the test signal 216 to beindicative of a pulse too short fault when the user selects the ninthoption 568. When the user selects the ninth option 568, the outputgenerator module 480 generates the second pulse, one of the nibbles ofthe third pulse, or the fourth pulse to be shorter than thepredetermined minimum period.

The output generator module 480 generates the test signal 216 to beindicative of an ECC fault when the user selects the tenth option 572.When the user selects the tenth option 572, the output generator module480 sets the length of the fourth pulse based on an ECC that isdifferent than the ECC 468.

The user may select a period for which the output generator module 480will generate the test signal 216 based on the selected one of thethird, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenthselectable options 544, 548, 552, 556, 560, 564, 568, and 572. Forexample only, the user may select an all faulty message period via aneleventh option 580 or a short faulty message period via a twelfthoption 584. When the twelfth option 584 (i.e., a short faulty messageperiod) is selected, the output generator module 480 may generate thetest signal 216 according to the user input 220 for a period. Thisperiod is less than a period after which the HWIO module 204 willdiagnose a selected type of HWIO fault when test signal 216 exhibits theselected type of HWIO fault. When the eleventh option 580 (i.e., an allfaulty message period) is selected, the output generator module 480 maygenerate the test signal 216 according to the user input 220 untilstopped by the user. The user may start and stop the output generatormodule 480 from generating the test signal 216 based on the user input220 via a start/stop option 590.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a functional block diagram of an exampleimplementation of the HWIO module 204 is presented. A normalizing module604 receives the test signal 216 via an input 602 and outputs anormalized test signal 608 based on the test signal 216. The input 602may be an input of the ECM 120. The normalizing module 604 receives afirst pulse of a message of the test signal 216 and determines a ratiobased on the length of the first pulse and a length of a nominal firstpulse. For example only, the normalizing module 604 may set the ratioequal to the length of the first pulse divided by the length of thenominal first pulse. The normalizing module 604 may generate the pulsesof the message in the normalized test signal 608 by dividing the lengthof the pulses of the message in the test signal 216 by the ratio. Inthis manner, the length of the pulses of the message in the normalizedtest signal 608 reflect the length of the pulses of the message in thetest signal 216, adjusted (i.e., normalized) to account for the ratiobetween the length of the first pulse and the nominal first pulse. Thenormalizing module 604 performs the normalization for each message ofbased on the first pulse of each message of the test signal 216.

An ECC checking module 612 selectively diagnoses the presence of an ECCfault based on a comparison of an ECC checking value with the ECC valueconveyed via the fourth pulse of the normalized test signal 608. Forexample only, the ECC checking module 612 may determine the ECC checkingvalue based on the data conveyed via the nibbles of the third pulse ofthe normalized test signal 608 using a seed value of 0101 and thepolynomial:x⁴+x³+x²+1.If the ECC checking value is different than the ECC value of the fourthpulse, the ECC checking module 612 diagnoses the presence of an ECCfault. The ECC checking module 612 generates an ECC fault signal 616that indicates whether an ECC fault is present.

A pulse length checking module 620 selectively diagnoses the presence ofa pulse too short fault or a pulse too long fault based on the lengthsof the second, third, and fourth pulses of the normalized test signal608 (including each of the nibbles of the third pulse). The pulse lengthchecking module 620 diagnoses the presence of a pulse too short faultwhen the length of one or more of the pulses is less than thepredetermined minimum period. The pulse length checking module 620diagnoses the presence of a pulse too long fault when the length of oneor more of the pulses is greater than the predetermined maximum period.The pulse length checking module 620 generates a short pulse faultsignal 624 that indicates whether a pulse too short fault is present.The pulse length checking module 620 generates a long pulse fault signal628 that indicates whether a pulse too long fault is present.

A clock shift checking module 640 selectively diagnoses the presence ofa clock shift fault based on a change in length of the first pulsebetween two consecutive first pulses in the normalized test signal 608.The clock shift checking module 640 diagnoses that a clock shift faultis present when the change is greater than the predetermined allowablechange. For example only, the predetermined allowable change may beapproximately 1.56%. The clock shift checking module 640 generates aclock shift fault signal 644 that indicates whether a clock shift faultis present.

A timeout checking module 650 selectively diagnoses the presence of atimeout fault based on the period between the falling edges of twoconsecutive fourth pulses in the normalized test signal 608. In otherwords, the timeout checking module 650 selectively diagnoses thepresence of a timeout fault based on the period between the beginningsof two consecutive first pulses in the normalized test signal 608. Thetimeout checking module 650 diagnoses the presence of a timeout faultwhen the period is greater than the predetermined timeout period. Thepredetermined timeout period is equal to a maximum length of one messageof the test signal 216. For example only, the predetermined timeoutperiod may be 272 clock cycles. The timeout checking module 650generates a timeout fault signal 654 that indicates whether a timeoutfault is present.

A pulse number checking module 660 selectively diagnoses the presence ofa too many pulses fault or a not enough pulses fault based on the numberof falling edges in the normalized test signal 608 between consecutivefirst pulses in the normalized test signal 608. In other words, thepulse number checking module 660 selectively diagnoses the presence of atoo many pulses fault or a not enough pulses fault based on the numberof pulses (including nibbles) in one complete message of the normalizedtest signal 608. The pulse number checking module 660 diagnoses thepresence of a too many pulses fault when the number of falling edgesbetween consecutive first pulses is greater than a predeterminedexpected number of falling edges. The pulse number checking module 660diagnoses the presence of a not enough pulses fault when the number offalling edges between consecutive first pulses is less than thepredetermined expected number. For example only, the predeterminednumber of falling edges is 9 when the test signal 216 is generated likethe example of FIG. 3. The pulse number checking module 660 generates atoo many pulses fault signal 664 that indicates whether a two manypulses fault is present. The pulse number checking module 660 generatesa not enough pulses fault signal 668 that indicates whether a not enoughpulses fault is present.

The user may monitor the ECC fault signal 616, the short pulse faultsignal 624, the long pulse fault signal 628, the clock shift faultsignal 644, the timeout fault signal 654, the too many pulses faultsignal 664, and the not enough pulses fault signal 668. Based on thestatus of one or more of these signals when the testing module 212 isgenerating the test signal 216 to induce a HWIO fault based on the userinput 220, the user may verify the responsiveness of the HWIO module 204to the test signal 216.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a flowchart depicting an example method 700 ofgenerating the test signal 216 is presented. Control begins with 704where control receives the first throttle position signal 146 from thethrottle position sensor 140. Control determines the first and secondthrottle positions 422 and 430 at 708. Control also determines theselected throttle position 444 at 708. Control sets the selectedthrottle position 444 to one of the first and second throttle positions422 and 430. Control sets the selected throttle position 444 based onthe user input 220.

Control determines the length for the first pulse of a message in thetest signal 216 at 712. The length of the first pulse is the number ofclock cycles corresponding to the predetermined total period, such as 56clock cycles. At 716, control determines the length for the second pulseof the message of the test signal 216. Where the first throttle positionsignal 146 is a SENT based signal, control may extract the length of thesecond pulse from the first throttle position signal 146.

Control determines the lengths for the first half of the nibbles of thethird pulse of the message at 720. Control determines the lengths forthe first half of the nibbles based on the selected throttle position444. More specifically, control determines the set of binary values 452based on the selected throttle position 444 and determines the lengthsbased on the binary values, respectively.

Control determines the lengths for the second half of the nibbles of thethird pulse of the message at 724. Control determines the set ofcomplement values 460 based on the set of binary values 452, and controldetermines the lengths based on the complement values, respectively.

Control determines the length for the fourth pulse of the message at728. Control determines the ECC 468 based on the binary values and thecomplement values and determines the length of the fourth pulse based onthe ECC 468.

At 732, control determines whether to insert the user input 220. Iftrue, control proceeds with 736; if false, control proceeds with 740.Control generates the test signal 216 based on the user input 220 at736. More specifically, control may adjust or omit one or more of thefirst, second, third, and fourth pulses of the message in the testsignal 216 based on the user input 220. At 740, control generates thefirst, second, third, and fourth pulses in the predetermined order inthe test signal 216 using the lengths determined for the pulses,respectively. Control ends after 736 or 740. While control is shown anddiscussed as ending, control may instead return to 704.

The broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety offorms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples,the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since othermodifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon astudy of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims.

1. A testing module comprising: a first input where the testing modulereceives a throttle position signal from a throttle position sensor of avehicle; a decoder module that generates a first throttle position basedon a length of at least one pulse in the throttle position signal; ananalog to digital (A/D) converter that generates a second throttleposition based on the throttle position signal; a second input where thetesting module receives user input; an output generator module thatgenerates a test signal in a single edge nibble transmission (SENT)format based on the user input and one of the first and second throttlepositions; and an output where the testing module outputs the testsignal to a control module of the vehicle.
 2. A system comprising: thetesting module of claim 1; and the control module that receives thethrottle position signal from the throttle position sensor, thatreceives the test signal from the testing module, and that selectivelydiagnoses the presence of a plurality of faults based on the testsignal.
 3. The testing module of claim 1 wherein the output generatormodule generates a predetermined number of pulses in the test signal inthe SENT format and selectively generates more than the predeterminednumber of pulses in the test signal in response to the user input. 4.The testing module of claim 1 wherein the output generator modulegenerates a predetermined number of pulses in the test signal in theSENT format and selectively generates less than the predetermined numberof pulses in the test signal in response to the user input.
 5. Thetesting module of claim 1 wherein the output generator module generatesa pulse in the test signal for greater than a predetermined minimumperiod in the SENT format and selectively generates the pulse in thetest signal for less than the predetermined minimum period in responseto the user input.
 6. The testing module of claim 1 wherein the outputgenerator module generates a pulse in the test signal for less than apredetermined maximum period in the SENT format and selectivelygenerates the pulse in the test signal for greater than thepredetermined maximum period in response to the user input.
 7. Thetesting module of claim 1 wherein the output generator module changes alength of a pulse in the test signal by more than a predetermined amountbetween consecutive messages of the test signal in response to the userinput.
 8. The testing module of claim 1 wherein the output generatormodule changes a period between a pulse in consecutive messages of thetest signal to greater than a predetermined period in response to theuser input.
 9. The testing module of claim 1 further comprising an errorcorrecting code (ECC) module that determines a first ECC based on theone of the first and second throttle positions, wherein the outputgenerator module generates a pulse in the test signal based on secondECC that is different than the first ECC in response to the user input.10. The testing module of claim 1 further comprising an error correctingcode (ECC) module that determines a first ECC based on the one of thefirst and second throttle positions, wherein the output generatormodule, in response to the user input, selectively: (i) generates afirst pulse in the test signal based on second ECC that is differentthan the first ECC; (ii) generates more than a predetermined number ofpulses in the test signal; (iii) generates less than the predeterminednumber of pulses in the test signal; (iv) generates a second pulsehaving less than a predetermined minimum period in the test signal; (v)generates a third pulse having greater than a predetermined maximumperiod in the test signal; (vi) changes a length of a fourth pulse inthe test signal by more than a predetermined amount between consecutivemessages of the test signal; and (vii) changes a period between a fifthpulse in consecutive messages of the test signal to greater than apredetermined period.
 11. A method comprising: receiving a throttleposition signal from a throttle position sensor of a vehicle at a firstinput of a testing module; generating a first throttle position based ona length of at least one pulse in the throttle position signal using thetesting module; generating a second throttle position based on thethrottle position signal using the testing module; receiving user inputat a second input of the testing module; generating a test signal in asingle edge nibble transmission (SENT) format based on the user inputand one of the first and second throttle positions; and outputting thetest signal to a control module of the vehicle at an output of thetesting module.
 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising: receivingthe throttle position signal using the control module; receiving thetest signal using the control module; and selectively diagnosing thepresence of a plurality of faults based on the test signal using thecontrol module.
 13. The method of claim 11 further comprising:generating a predetermined number of pulses in the test signal in theSENT format; and selectively generating more than the predeterminednumber of pulses in the test signal in response to the user input. 14.The method of claim 11 further comprising: generating a predeterminednumber of pulses in the test signal in the SENT format; and selectivelygenerating less than the predetermined number of pulses in the testsignal in response to the user input.
 15. The method of claim 11 furthercomprising: generating a pulse in the test signal for greater than apredetermined minimum period in the SENT format; and selectivelygenerating the pulse in the test signal for less than the predeterminedminimum period in response to the user input.
 16. The method of claim 11further comprising: generating a pulse in the test signal for less thana predetermined maximum period in the SENT format; and selectivelygenerating the pulse in the test signal for greater than thepredetermined maximum period in response to the user input.
 17. Themethod of claim 11 further comprising changing a length of a pulse inthe test signal by more than a predetermined amount between consecutivemessages of the test signal in response to the user input.
 18. Themethod of claim 11 further comprising changing a period between a pulsein consecutive messages of the test signal to greater than apredetermined period in response to the user input.
 19. The method ofclaim 11 further comprising: determining a first error correcting code(ECC) based on the one of the first and second throttle positions; andgenerating a pulse in the test signal based on second ECC that isdifferent than the first ECC in response to the user input.
 20. Themethod of claim 11 further comprising: determining a first errorcorrecting code (ECC) based on the one of the first and second throttlepositions; and, in response to the user input, selectively: (i)generating a first pulse in the test signal based on second ECC that isdifferent than the first ECC; (ii) generating more than a predeterminednumber of pulses in the test signal; (iii) generating less than thepredetermined number of pulses in the test signal; (iv) generating asecond pulse having less than a predetermined minimum period in the testsignal; (v) generating a third pulse having greater than a predeterminedmaximum period in the test signal; (vi) changing a length of a fourthpulse in the test signal by more than a predetermined amount betweenconsecutive messages of the test signal; and (vii) changing a periodbetween a fifth pulse in consecutive messages of the test signal togreater than a predetermined period.